The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on state President Cyril Ramaphosa to reduce the size of his Cabinet. The DA made this plea during the debate over the State of the Nation Address saying that the country could save as much as R4.7-billion.

"At 35 ministries, each with a deputy minister, ours is one of the most bloated governments in the world," said Mmusi Maimane, leader of the DA.

"It is entirely possible to cut our executive down to 15 ministries, with spending priorities that promote economic growth and job creation. This would save us around R4.7 billion each year."

Briefly.co.za learned that Maimane said that those ministers who have been implicated in state capture should be the first to go. He said that if Ramaphosa was serious about fighting corruption he would use this opportunity to show the country that he is serious according to IOL.co.za.

The DA also called on the ANC's practice of deploying cadres to all parts of the government must stop. Maimane said that those ANC members who have been deployed have hollowed out key government institutions in order to enrich themselves and a few well-connected individuals.